“Navigating the Immigration Maze”

1. “Navigating the Immigration Maze” CASPR Conference April 14, 2009

2. HFO MRA: Services In May 2006, the HealthForceOntario (HFO) strategy was created as a broad umbrella over a series of HHR strategies. As part of HFO, the provincial government created the HealthForceOntario Marketing and Recruitment Agency (HFO MRA). HFO MRA delivers a number of programs in support of HHR recruitment including advisory services. Our Recruitment and Relocation advisors: • Work one-on-one with practice-ready physicians from outside the province who want to relocate to Ontario • Support and advise physicians regarding licensing, certification, jobs and relocation incentives • Advise communities on physician candidates’ training and experience • Provide physicians with information on immigration options and processes

3. Today’s Objective • Provide an overview of temporary and permanent immigration options and processes • Highlight considerations that can support the successful settlement of foreign physicians and their families • Identify web-based sources of information

4. Topics • Temporary Work Permits • Permanent Residence • Getting Settled • Resources

5. Key Points • Important to understand eligibility and application processing to navigate immigration successfully • Personal circumstances of the applicant can have a big impact on application outcome • Physicians generally fit well with temporary and permanent immigration options

6. Temporary Entry • Persons who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents require a work permit to work in Canada • A work permit is a temporary document issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) to foreign nationals wishing to work in Canada • There are several work permit categories, but generally a government approved job offer from a Canadian employer is required - Labour Market Opinion

7. Temporary Entry Labour Market Opinion (LMO) • Assessment by federal government officials of the impact on job opportunities for Canadians from hiring a foreign worker • Employer applies to Service Canada which considers several factors including: • occupation, wages and working conditions • domestic recruitment efforts • LMO requests for physician take approximately 2 weeks to process • Employer provides the foreign worker with a copy of approved LMO to include in the work permit application

8. Temporary Entry Temporary Work Permits • Foreign physician must apply to CIC for a work permit • Applications usually submitted to Canadian visa office where applicant resides • Application kit includes instructions and a Check List of required supporting documents including: • Completed application form • Job Offer letter from Canadian Employer • Copy of the approved LMO (or confirmation that employer is applying for LMO) • Proof of experience and qualifications in intended occupation • Photos • Processing Fee ($150CDN for work permit) • Visa office specific forms • Need to show that requirements for registration to practice in intended province are met

9. Temporary Entry Temporary Work Permits • Must complete a medical examination (accompanying family members may need to as well) • Must have a valid passport • Spouse (married or common-law partner) and dependent children (under 22 or full time student) may accompany • May require a Temporary Resident Visa depending on nationality • Processing times vary depending on office and circumstances of the applicant and may take from 6 weeks to several months • If approved, physician issued an approval letter to present to Immigration Officer upon arrival in Canada where work permit will be issued. Work permit will specify: • Name of employer • Location of employment • Expiry date • Any conditions of employment or stay in Canada

10. Temporary Entry Extending Work Permits • Work permit may be extended by mail-in application to processing centre in Vegreville, Alberta • LMO must be extended as well • Current processing time to extend a work permit is approximately 60 days • Physician will have “deemed status” as long as application made before expiry of current work permit (Note: status expires if leave Canada) • Temporary Resident Visas must be renewed at a visa office outside Canada (mail-in application possible) • Possible to change employer in Canada, but a new work permit and LMO required • Mail-in application processing times for work permit with new employer approximately 20 days

11. Permanent Residence General Comments • Possible to apply for permanent residence while on a work permit in Canada, or before arrival • Application for permanent residence is separate from a work permit. Each has criteria to meet • All applicants for immigration (including dependents) must meet health and security admissibility requirements • Applications are submitted to visa office serving country of nationality or residence • Processing times vary depending on immigration category and visa office (generally much longer than work permit processing times)

12. Permanent Residence Possible Categories Federal Skilled Worker • Processing based on having a minimum one year’s work experience in an eligible occupation (includes physicians) • Must meet a point system with points awarded for age, education, language ability, work experience, arranged employment and adaptability factors • Pass mark is 67 out of 100 • Applications are submitted to CIC processing centre in Sydney, NS with files meeting eligibility requirements forwarded to overseas visa office (Buffalo for applicants in Canada on a work permit) • Applicants do not need to have a job offer from a Canadian employer to qualify • Work permit holders in Canada with a permanent job offer can be awarded points for arranged employment

13. Permanent Residence Possible Categories Canada Experience Class • Available to applicants who have a minimum of 2 years’ work experience on a temporary work permit in a high skilled occupation (NOC 0, A or B) in Canada • No points system, but must meet language proficiency requirements • Applicants in Canada apply to the visa office in Buffalo • Processing times approximately 1 year (new category so not clear what processing times will be over the longer term) Provincial Nominee • Immigration programs administered by each province • Province sets selection criteria - physicians generally included • Federal government still responsible for assessing admissibility and issuing permanent residence • Apply first to the province for nomination, and if nominated, then to visa office overseas • Processing times generally faster than Skilled Workers particularly in some offices

14. Permanent Residence Possible Categories Family Class • Permanent residence based on sponsorship by close family member who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, e.g. spouse or son/daughter • No points-based selection system. Selection based on demonstrating genuine relationship • Canadians residing overseas with a foreign spouse may sponsor prior to moving back to Canada • Spousal applications receive highest processing priority in visa offices - try to process in 6 months or less Other • Refugee claimants • Temporary Resident Permits in cases of inadmissibility

15. Getting Settled • Spouses of work permit holders may be eligible for a Spousal work permit • No job offer required • Foreign worker must have a work permit valid for 6 months or more in a skilled occupation • Dependent children may study in Canada • Primary and secondary does not need a study permit, but may apply for one • Post-secondary study requires a study permit (except for course lasting 6 months or less) • Provincial health care eligibility • Planning is critical • Customs requirements • Financial Planning • SIN card • Culture shock

16. Temporary Entry: Labour Market Opinion Application www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/workplaceskills/foreign_workers/temp_workers.shtml For Physicians, apply to: Service Canada Temporary Foreign Worker - Centre of Specialization 1 Agar Place, PO Box 7000 Saint John, NB E2L 4V4 Fax: 1-866-585-7524 (toll free) Temporary Work Permit Application http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/index.asp Spousal Work Permit www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/faq/work/work-faq08.asp Study Permit (Required for Post-secondary study) www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/index.asp Permanent Residence: Skilled Worker Category www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/index.asp Canada Experience Class www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/cec/index.asp Provincial Nominee Category www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/provincial/index.asp Family Class www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/sponsor/index.asp Customs Information: Working in Canada (less than 3 years) www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5068-eng.html Settling in Canada www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/rc4151-eng.html Returning Canadians or Permanent Residents www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5087-eng.html Resources

17. Provincial Nominee Programs: British Columbia www.aved.gov.bc.ca/provincialnominee/welcome.htm Alberta www.albertacanada.com/immigration Saskatchewan www.immigration.gov.sk.ca Manitoba www.immigratemanitoba.com Ontario www.ontarioimmigration.ca/english/pnp.asp Quebec* www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca (* Quebec operates its own immigration system) New Brunswick www.gnb.ca/Immigration Nova Scotia www.novascotiaimmigration.com Prince Edward Island www.gov.pe.ca/immigration Newfoundland and Labrador www.nlpnp.ca Resources

18. Contact Larry Hynes Manager, HFOJobs Immigration Specialist HealthForceOntario Marketing and Recruitment Agency E-mail: l.hynes@healthforceontario.ca Tel: 416-945-3663